ACTION - 30 YEARS OLD TODAY!

[Old Forum Fella]

Thirty years ago on this date (Saturday February 6th, 1976, cover dated Feb 14th) the first issue of the controversial comic ACTION appeared in newsagents. (D.C. Thomson's BULLET No.1 also appeared on the same day, although it had none of the impact that Action did).

I've just re-read Action No.1 and it still stands up as a tightly written, fast paced comic. Editorially, it's blunt, no-nonsense attitude was perfect for the times and immediately made Tiger, Hotspur & co look like dated relics. Some great artwork in there too!

The outrage that Action would soon cause ended up castrating a fantastic comic, but at least it paved the way for 2000 AD (which will celebrate its own 30th anniversary in 2007).

Originally posted by Lew Stringer on the old forum on 6/2/2006

[Old Forum Fella]

DOH! My mistake. Feb 6th 1976 was a Friday! Action's not 30 years old until tomorrow! Sorry folks.

Although it came out a day early in some areas. Probably. Maybe. cough.

Originally posted by Lew Stringer on the old forum on 6/2/2006

[Old Forum Fella]

You can read the full issues of some of the early editions of Action at this excellent website:
http://www.sevenpennynightmare.co.uk/index.htm

Originally posted by Lew Stringer on the old forum on 6/2/2006

[Old Forum Fella]

that would make me 21 when i drew that cover for action. my how time fly's.

Originally posted by John britton on the old forum on 6/2/2006

[Old Forum Fella]

2000AD is doing well to last nearly 30 years, what other comics have lasted so long apart from Dandy and Beano.

Originally posted by Frog on the old forum on 6/2/2006

[Old Forum Fella]

Quite a few comics have had long runs. Comic Cuts ran for 60 years or more, Film Fun 40 years or so, Buster was cancelled just short of its 40 anniversary, Victor and Tiger had long runs...

It's mainly in recent decades that most new comics have had relatively short lives.

Originally posted by Lew Stringer on the old forum on 6/2/2006

[Old Forum Fella]

John, I was just this second wondering who drew the cover for Action No.1! Was that yours, or are you refering to another issue?

Originally posted by Lew Stringer on the old forum on 6/2/2006

[Old Forum Fella]

Lew, I suppose you are only too well aware that another anniversary is fast approaching, this time a 40th!!! Shall we raise a glass to it on that smashing day?

Originally posted by Anonymous on the old forum on 6/2/2006

[Old Forum Fella]

If it's SMASH! you're refering to, its 40th anniversary was last week! Cover date of No.1 was 5th Feb 1966, and it would have been in shops the Wednesday before, (as it was "Every Thursday" then, meaning every Wednesday in practice). So its on-sale date was Feb 2nd 1966. We missed the celebration. Have to wait until the 50th now.

Originally posted by Lew Stringer on the old forum on 7/2/2006

[Old Forum Fella]

hi lew, it was issue 31 i drew, with dreddger on the cover. every time i look at it i remember them drawing a left hand on to it.( no 31 i think ) i did put some of my art on the ( http://groups.yahoo.com/group/johnbuscematribute) site.

Originally posted by John britton on the old forum on 6/2/2006

[Old Forum Fella]

ah john, one of the most symbolic action covers ever, and the only issue i missed, because my newsagent sold it to someone else whilst i was on holiday...the miserable old git. there's a certain, i dunno, iconic tag to that dredger cover, still one of my favourites.

Originally posted by Moose on the old forum on 14/2/2006

[Old Forum Fella]

thanks, for the compliment,i think they used the cover art inside some of the action comics later on.

Originally posted by John britton on the old forum on 14/2/2006